Shoulder pain can be caused locally or arise from surrounding muscles, tissues and bones. The shoulder is the most movable and unstable joint in the body, considering the range of motion it is allowed. To relieve minor pains, one can try painkillers, heating pad or ice packs. However, in case of severe, persistent pain it is advisable to seek medical attention.

Causes of shoulder pain include:

• Bone infarction or avascular necrosis, a condition that arises when the death of bone tissue is caused due to lack of blood supply.

The shoulder pain symptoms include the development of joint pain which may cause the inability to move.

Brachial plexus injury is the injury caused to the network of nerves that conducts signals from the spinal cord to shoulders, arms, and hands. These injuries are results of tumors, shoulder trauma, such as fall from the height on the side of shoulder and inflammations. The symptoms include a lack of control in arm and wrist and lack of sensation in arms.

Osteoarthritis, a joint disease caused by the breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone. Joint pain, tenderness, stiffness after long periods of inactivity and loss of flexibility are shoulder pain symptoms.

Shoulder dislocation is an injury in which head of the upper arm bone comes out of the shoulder joint. This condition is mostly caused by fall onto the shoulder or arm. Symptoms include deformed out-of-shape shoulder, significant pain, swelling, and inability to move arms.

Pain in shoulders can also be one of the symptoms of heart attack. This type of shoulder pain mostly occurs in the left shoulder and spreads towards arms.

Overstretching and tearing of shoulder ligaments cause sprain, which can cause shoulder pain. Symptoms include swelling and pain in the affected area.

Rheumatoid arthritis, that affects joints, causes inflammation and damages lining of joints. As the disease worsens, pain is experienced in shoulders and elbows. The symptoms of shoulder pain include swelling and tenderness in joints and restricted movement after long periods of inactivity.

Inflammation or irritation in tendons, the tissues that attach muscle to bone, can also cause pain in shoulders. The symptoms include pain in affected joint, tenderness and mild swelling.

The separated shoulder is a common injury to the joint located at the outer end of the shoulder. The symptoms of this condition include weakness in the arm, shoulder swelling and restricted shoulder movement.

Bursitis, a condition caused by inflammation of fluid-filled sac that pads the tendons and bones near shoulder joints. The symptoms of shoulder pain include pain while pressing the area, stiffness and mild swelling.